Death & Dying

Cuchulainn Laments Ferdiad

by Anonymous (Old Irish) c. 8th–12th century

Translated by George Sigerson (1907) · From Bards of the Gael and Gall (1907)

Death & Dying

Play was each, pleasure each,
Till Ferdiad faced the beach;
One had been our student life,
One in strife of school our place,
One our gentle teacher's grace
Loved o'er all and each.

Play was each, pleasure each,
Till Ferdiad faced the beach;
One had been our wanted ways,
One the praise for feat of fields,
Scatach gave two victor shields
Equal prize to each.

Play was each, pleasure each,
Till Ferdiad faced the beach;
Dear that pillar of pure gold
Who fell cold beside the ford.
Hosts of heroes felt his sword
First in battle's breach.

Play was each, pleasure each,
Till Ferdiad faced the beach;
Lion fiery, fierce, and bright,
Wave whose might no thing withstands,
Sweeping, with the shrinking sands,
Horror o'er the beach.

Play was each, pleasure each,
Till Ferdiad faced the beach;
Loved Ferdiad, dear to me:
I shall dree his death for aye
Yesterday a Mountain he, —
But a Shade to-day.

MLA

Anonymous (Old Irish). “Cuchulainn Laments Ferdiad.” Translated by George Sigerson. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-irish/172/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Old Irish). “Cuchulainn Laments Ferdiad.” Translated by George Sigerson. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-irish/172/.

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